When phages kill bacteria, they cause changes in the bacterial membrane that can be detected using electrical impedance spectroscopy. This project aims to develop a biosensor to monitor phage replication and bacterial killing. We will study how phage lysis proteins interact with bacterial membranes using neutron reflection, atomic force microscopy, and molecular simulations. This will help us to understand the structure-based function of lysis proteins in phage replication and guide the development of a biosensor for bacterial killing based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
We will test the robustness of the sensor on clinical bacterial strains, including antibiotic-resistant ones, which may provide different signals than susceptible strains. This project will improve our understanding of phage-bacteria interactions and provide a tool to measure phage activity in clinical settings. Developing such sensors is essential for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of phage therapy.
This project will provide interdisciplinary training in experimental microbiology, synthetic engineering, neutron reflection and scattering, atomic force microscopy and biophysical modelling. The student will further be part of MERMan (Microbial Evolution Research Manchester), the UK’s largest cluster of microbial evolution research groups, providing an inclusive, supportive and stimulating research environment.
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